Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 22, 2026
Isolation, Characterization, and Proteomic Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Cardiovascular Biomarker Discovery
Published on: January 31, 2025
Plasma proteomic signatures of subclinical atherosclerosis progression for cardiovascular risk stratification: A
Yani Huang1, Ruixin Gao1, Jianxin Li1
1Department of Epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
Existing risk stratification tools inadequately identify individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) who could benefit from early intervention. This study aimed to develop protein risk scores (ProtRSs) for SA progression and assess their incremental value for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk prediction.
Methods And Findings:
In a community cohort consisting of 903 individuals undergoing repeated SA assessments (coronary artery calcium [CAC] or carotid plaque) over 6 years (2008-2009 to 2013-2014), protein biomarkers were selected from a panel of 117 proteins using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to construct SA ProtRSs for CAC and plaque progression, respectively, and their predictive abilities for incident ASCVD risk were evaluated based on a guideline-recommended traditional risk score in a case-cohort of 1,835 individuals (2007-2008 to 2018-2021, median follow-up of 10.4 years). The ProtRSs each included 14 proteins for CAC and plaque progression, explaining 17.1% and 18.4% of respective variances. Effect sizes of these proteins on SA progression showed strong concordance with those on incident ASCVD (r > 0.75). Each standard deviation increase in CAC and plaque ProtRSs was associated with hazard ratios of 1.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.20,1.54]) and 1.38 (95% CI [1.23,1.54]) for ASCVD risk, respectively. Addition of the SA ProtRSs to the traditional risk score yielded a net reclassification improvement of 0.127 (p < 0.001). Importantly, 18.6% of traditional intermediate-risk individuals were reclassified into the high-risk category (10-year ASCVD event rate: 10.9%), indicating the need for preventive interventions, whereas 32.8% of traditional high-risk individuals were identified as having an even higher rate (13.7%), suggesting the requirement for intensified management. The main limitation is that the predictive value of ProtRSs warrants further large-scale external validation.
Conclusions:
SA ProtRSs of coronary calcification and carotid plaque progression may provide additional value over traditional risk assessment, highlighting their potential in refining risk stratification and guiding targeted intervention strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...